Butterflies

-n. 1. any of numerous diurnal insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by clubbed antennae, a slender body, and large, broad, often conspicuously marked wings 2. a person who flits aimlessly from one interest or group to another 3. a queasy feeling, as from nervousness, excitement, etc. 4. a racing breaststroke, using a dolphin kick, in which the swimmer brings both arms out of the water in forward, circular motions 5. an X-shaped support attached to an armature 6. one of the swinging brackets of a butterfly table 7. a screen of scrim, gauze, or similar material, for diffusing light –v. 8. to slit open and spread apart to resemble the spread wings of a butterfly –adj. 9. split open and spread apart to resemble a butterfly

"Professor, if it's alright, Ah'd like to stay home from school today," Rogue said.

Professor Xavier had his hands steepled over the desk, his attention patiently directed towards Rogue. She stood awkwardly in the center of his office. She was uncertain, and her posture reflected that.

"Is anything the matter?" Xavier asked.

"No. Not really. Ah jus' need a break, y'know? And, Ah know it's Monday an' we just had the weekend – "

"I will call the school and let them know you will be absent," Xavier said. Rogue detected no hint of anger or frustration. She was surprised. Weren't authority figures supposed to push teenagers to their greatest potential? Wouldn't that mean he should tell her to get over it and figure out how to better balance her life? Was school not the most important thing in human teenage years?

"You seem shocked," Charles observed. "Did you think I would ignore your needs? Why come to me and ask if you thought that I would make you go?"

"Ah … Ah dunno." Rogue was otherwise at a loss for words.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" Xavier prompted kindly.

"No. Ah kinda jus' need a day away from a big group'a people. Classmates an' school. Teammates an' X-Men." Rogue shifted her stance. While she still stood with a small base, her arms hung more comfortably and less defensively.

Xavier nodded, though his expression gave away no thoughts. "Reach out if you need help. I am here to listen and help, should you need to talk things over. Likewise, Kurt would lend an ear. Warren and Remy should also be around while the others attend classes." Either Remy was back, or Xavier didn't know that he had left. Xavier reached for the phone cradled on his desk. "If you would excuse me for the moment, I need to call and notify the high school."

Rogue obliged and ducked out of the professor's office. Her stomach crawled uncomfortably.

How could she not be handling herself well? One touch, no true backlash except for a mishap in school. As Veronica said, it was no big deal. Anne wouldn't even remember the exchange in a week. Yet, the whole situation still had Rogue shaken up. Even Kurt's and Ororo's efforts didn't quite curb it.

Maybe … maybe Rogue needed to call home. The thought of reaching out to her previous guardian hadn't crossed Rogue's mind once since arriving at Xavier's School for Gifted Children. Realizing that caused instantaneous and intense guilt to gnaw at her insides. She'd been so absorbed in her new life with the X-Men, she'd forgotten to check in with the woman who'd cared for Rogue after the disappearance of her mother.

It wasn't like the two of them parted on a bad note. Rogue wanted control, after the incident with Cody, and Xavier's pitch sounded like it was Rogue's best chance at being normal. Rogue even had acceptance with Mystique. The woman didn't seem to fear Rogue, despite knowing what one touch could do. However, Mystique didn't have the desired calming effect Rogue sought. While Rogue clashed with certain personas around the X-Men, others helped Rogue feel like she belonged, even if just a little.

Rogue reached her room and sat on her bed. Her eyes purposefully looked past the backpack on the ground, where she had left it Friday afternoon. She had plenty of homework to keep herself busy, but her mood had been too dismal all weekend to think about touching it. While she looked forward to the break away from people, she knew that she'd have to tackle the homework with her time off. A pleasant side effect to getting the day off.

Rogue's personal phone sat planted on her nightstand. It wasn't a cell phone, rather a landline. Almost unheard of with modern day technology. Everyone had their own person cell phone. Except Rogue. The landline would do.

She took a deep breath and dialed in the phone number to Mystique. It rang twice before it was answered, though not by Mystique.

"Irene," Rogue said pleasantly. "Is – "

"No, she is not home, child," Irene answered her. Rogue tried not to feel disappointed. "She's currently working on something far away. I can have her call you back when she returns, but I do not know when that will be."

"Yeah, Ah'd like that," Rogue said. "Thank-you."

Rogue gently cradled the phone. Tears threatened to spill, but Rogue wasn't giving them the chance. Homework would have to do.